October 25, 2024 -- A new national quantum facility, that will house 12 quantum computers, was officially opened by Science Minister Lord Vallance today (Friday 25 October).

The state-of-the-art National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), a 4,000 square meter facility based at the Harwell Campus, will be home to several new quantum computers each designed to push the boundaries of what is possible with this emerging technology. It will house a wide range of quantum computing platforms, uniquely offering open access to industry, academia, and other sectors across the UK. More than 70 staff will be based there, and the Centre will also host an array of opportunities for students – including the world’s first dedicated quantum apprenticeship programme, 30 PhD studentships, summer placements, and crash courses for those in industry.

Unlike many global counterparts, the NQCC’s systems are not restricted to government ownership or use, enabling anyone with a valid use case to harness its cutting-edge capabilities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the NQCC is set to become a key driver of quantum breakthroughs, delivering transformative benefits for both the public and private sectors.

Quantum technologies like quantum computers and quantum sensors have the potential to revolutionise many industries, from healthcare to energy. For example, at UKRI’s Quantum Hubs, researchers are already using quantum computers to build ‘neural networks’ (which process data in a similar fashion to the human brain) that could be used to detect fraud, and are building the foundations of a ‘quantum internet’ that will pool the colossal power of quantum computers from across the globe.  

The UK’s quantum technology sector is a global leader, with a thriving ecosystem of companies, research institutions, and talent. The UK is home to the second-largest quantum sector globally, backed by substantial private investment.

Quantum technology will not only help drive the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by creating cutting-edge innovations that can be commercialised and exported, boosting the UK’s GDP, but it will also play a key role in supporting broader efforts to rebuild Britain. By advancing science and technology, quantum computing will help create a more efficient, future-ready NHS and enhance cybersecurity, ensuring safer streets and a stronger digital infrastructure for the future.

The NQCC is set to harness the power of quantum computing to solve real-world problems that affect both individuals and industries. The Centre will focus on key areas where quantum computing can offer impactful solutions, including:

energy grid optimisation - quantum computers can analyse vast amounts of data in real time to identify the most efficient ways to balance energy supply and demand, preventing power outages and minimising energy losses

faster drug discovery - by speeding up the analysis of molecular structures, quantum computing could dramatically accelerate the development of new medicines, offering faster treatments for life-threatening conditions

climate prediction - with the ability to process vast amounts of data, quantum technology can enhance climate modelling, allowing for more accurate predictions and improved responses to global environmental challenges

advances in AI - quantum computing can supercharge artificial intelligence, enhancing areas such as medical diagnostics and fraud detection, leading to better healthcare outcomes and more secure financial systems

Science Minister Lord Vallance, said:

"The National Quantum Computing Centre marks a vital step forward in the UK’s efforts to advance quantum technologies. By making its facilities available to users from across industry and academia, and with its focus on making quantum computers practically useable at scale, this Centre will help them solve some of the biggest challenges we face, whether it’s delivering advances in healthcare, enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change, or inventing new materials."

"The innovations that will emerge from the work the NQCC will do will ultimately improve lives across the country and ensure the UK seizes the economic benefits of its leadership in quantum technologies."

Quantum computing works in a completely different way from the computers we use every day. Ordinary computers process information in a series of simple steps, where everything is broken down into tiny chunks of digital data that represent ‘1’ and ‘0’ or ‘on’ and ‘off’. By manipulating these bits of data over and over again, we can perform calculations and solve problems, but solving complex problems is both energy-intensive and takes a lot of time.

By contrast, quantum computers allow quantum information to be represented in multiple states at once - meaning it can be both ‘on’ and ‘off’ at the same time, allowing them to tackle complex problems in much less time. This means they have the potential to solve complex computational problems in seconds, minutes, or hours—tasks that would take today’s supercomputers years, decades, or even millennia, if they could solve them at all.

Speaking at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) annual meeting in Edinburgh earlier this week, Lord Vallance set out how the government is committed to supporting quantum companies to scale up, driving innovation that will fuel economic growth, strengthen the NHS, and position the UK as a clean energy leader. He also discussed how the UK’s commitment to working with other countries on global standards is helping to speed up innovation.

Recent initiatives, including £100m for new quantum research hubs and funding for five Quantum Centres for Doctoral Training, which will train over 300 PhDs in the next four years, highlight the government’s dedication to advancing quantum leadership and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.

As a central part of the UK’s ten-year quantum programme, the Centre will play a central role in building the UK’s quantum ecosystem by supporting the development of quantum hardware, software, and applications. It is supported through an initial £93 million UKRI investment, delivered through the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). UKRI has also invested a further £50 million, including through the Technology Missions Fund.

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:

"With our rich national heritage in quantum computing research the UK is well-placed to lead the development of this transformative new technology, which has such huge potential across society and the economy."

"The UK National Quantum Computing Centre is central to this critical work, bringing together internationally-leading researchers and technologists from across academia and industry to ensure that the UK’s quantum computing ecosystem thrives, delivering benefits to people across the UK and beyond."

The NQCC will not only foster pioneering research but also act as a hub for collaboration, bringing together businesses, academics, and government to unlock the full potential of quantum computing. Through its user engagement programme, SparQ, the Centre is already working with industry leaders in sectors like energy, healthcare, and financial services to explore practical applications for quantum technology. The NQCC will also champion the safe and ethical use of quantum computing, as set out in its responsible innovation strategy published earlier this summer.